I've lost my folding pocket knife twice in the last five years so I'm back in the market and would like some recommendations. I always carry a Swiss Army knife for light work like cutting a line or opening an envelop but I like a second pocket knife for heavier work when I'm traveling around town or working in the yard and I don't want to break out 7" fixed blade knife and look like John Rambo. So, I used to have a Smith & Wesson pocket folder with two blades. I'm looking for something of quality that is not "over the top" expensive. Since I don't know what that price point would be, I'll qualify that with keeping it under $100. My S&W had a pocket clip that made it handy to deploy one handed and I never thought I'd like that but it worked very well. I already have a Glock knife for hard work and another skinning knife for hunting. Can you recommend a good quality folder?
Do you want a larger pocket knife for EDC or a smaller one? Do you have a particular weight concern? Some folks like a heavier folder, others like them on the lighter side. Are your hands bigger and have a tough time fitting smaller folders? -All sub $100 range - For an average size and smaller size I can recommend: Cold Steel Voyager *light weight* <-most recommended Kershaw Cryo (smaller) and Cryo II (larger) *both are also kind of heavy* Kershaw Blur Buck Vantage Select Spyderco Tenacious For a larger folder I recommend: Cold Steel Voyager *light weight* <-most recommended Cold Steel AK47 Kershaw Knockout Sog Escape Sog Aegis (large) The "larger" knives I listed aren't necessarily larger blades, they just mostly have more handle material for guys with beefy hands. Some of the smaller knives also have longer handles. I think the Cold Steel Voyager comes in a variety of sizes, that line really offers a wide variety to choose from and it's probably the best solution for guys who may lose knives. They aren't expensive, but they are tough and will get the job done without rusting on you and sharpen nicely. The AUS8 steel really is s good stainless steel for the money. Similarly, the Kershaw CR13MOV steel is comparable and will serve you well. The Buck knives generally are 440c stainless but heat treated by Bos, so they pretty much rock.
Big hands and wanting a working knife. I have read the EDC knife thread about what others are carrying but most of those are fixed blade. I'll research your recommendations. I'd like a slightly larger knife that could still be clipped on my pocket but the handle size if more important than the blade size because I recognize that size is not the most important thing but how you use it that counts. Yah, it's a maturity thing. I really like the Cold Steel Ak-47 blade. Maybe...
get a spiderco salt pacific or atlantic... Ive lost 4 in the past six months !!!! about 65$ each and the sharpen easly
I just sold my Cold Steel AK47 first generation folder for the same price I paid for it new back in 2006. The new second generation AK47 is lighter and a little more ergonomic, and lots of guys love them. For larger hands, it should suit just fine. You can beat that knife all day long, no problems. The Recon 1 might also work well, it's pretty much the same knife with a slightly elongated handle.
Uploaded on Nov 25, 2011 I was not enthusiastic to hear that the lightweight and fast pre-2010 models of Cold Steel Voyagers getting re-designed. They have been favorite blades here in TNP, integrating easily into all preparedness systems. Luckily they're even better than before and I was happy to be wrong. In this review, I show all three of these newer Voyager models in depth: the XL, L, and Medium (plain edged clips, my favorite ones). After hard cutting and some batoning with the Large Voyager, I was not surprised to find still a solid locking knife. The Demko Triad lock is a winner again and it solidly places these Zytel handled folders in the hard use category. The stop pins on these models are large and solid in this lock design, taking the mechanical shock instead of the locking bart. The lockback spring is perfectly balanced and allows for some rather fast deployments, surpising for lockbacks sometimes. The cylindrical thumbstuds are another improvement as well, offering easy and fast access left or right. The full flat ground blades arrive sharp and the clip blade shape has great belly, a good tip, and a preferred stone washed finish. In cardboard cutting the AUS8A steel dulled but retained a usable edge (shown). The handles now feature a higher traction pattern, 6061 heat treated aluminum liners, and deep finger guards. They are are secure in hand and comfortable. Sadly jimping is still lacking in these redesigns but traction is still pretty good. A large lanyard hole makes attaching a 550 cord lanyard easy (medium version lacks it however). The pocket clip is standard Cold Steel: it holds tight, it's strong, and a left hand version is included. You will have to do some sanding or epoxying under the clip to minimize pocket shredding. Value is tremendous in all the Voyager models, made possible by overseas production. In 2011, the XL clip model sold for $48, an amazing value for a knife with the capabilities of the higher end Cold Steel Large Espada. It is rare you will find blades this well made and this tough at these prices. That alone makes them TNP Hall of Famers. Although sporting the aluminum liners, happily the Voyagers feature reasonable weights for their size and the strength they seem to possess. So while we've seem to have lost the ulra-lightweight Voyagers of days past, a stronger, higher grip version takes its place. As last ditch fighters or utility blades, these Voyagers integrate well into EDC, military, LE, and survival systems.///////////////////Nutnfancy Likability Scale: 9.5 out of 10//////////
Kershaw 1670TBLKST a Ken Onion design. Has what I need. Do not purchase the SOG AE04-CP Aegis Knife with Part-Serrated Assisted Folding 3.5-Inch AUS-8 Steel Blade and GRN Handle, Black TiNi Finish Looks cheap, is cheap, pocket clip is not adjustable. Plastic scales, no way to pull it apart without breaking the plastic pins.
Nah, the Aegis is a great performer. It's light, ergonomic, wonderful traction, super fast blade deployment, and the Sog belt clip, which by design is arguably the best pocket clip ever made for a knife, allowing for the deepest carry of any knife on the market. All said, it's NOT a knife I would recommend for heavy duty farm use and such, but it certainly functions for most EDC needs with no problems. Just so you know, I own the Sog Aegis mini, and I beat the living piss out of it and it's still going strong. You can take these knives apart, and if you don't herp-derp it comes apart no problem. The "plastic" is a high impact nylon resin, it's a new type of "plastic" these old folks can appreciate if they aren't stuck in the past. This review is one of Nut's worst, he wanders too much in this video...but it shows the knife well.
Let's just say that the SOG Aegis was not even sharp enough to cut simple paper when it arrived. OTOH The Kershaw was sharp. The AEGIS goes back on monday. "The "plastic" is a high impact nylon resin, it's a new type of "plastic" these old folks can appreciate if they aren't stuck in the past. " Oh I know plastics, been around long enough to see the start of that world and can enjoy them when done right. Acually saw nylon thread being produced as it was ejected from the nozzles at the local Science Building at the State Fair back in the 50s. Or maybe I'll ht the SOG a bit with a hammer to see how long it holds up and then send it back. Old NUT has lost his screws if he thinks a plain blade is best, but that just shows he lives in a Metro World.
@HK_User well I wish you the best of luck! Sorry to hear your luck with the Aegis was not good. Maybe you got a cheap replica or your opinion varies. I love the Aegis, but I am also not working on a farm.
No replica junk, purchased on Gov-X shipped stright from SOG. I do wonder how you would suggest the Aegis would come apart, since it does not have "fastners" only melted stubs in sockets. I also wonder how "others" can say that it has a good balance? Now for a great EDC in the real world you might want to try one of the folders from Columbia River. It's got balance and a real liner and balances at the index finger indent and a real lock. Cheap enough to use hard and still works. Columbia River Knife & Tool 6783Z Part Serrated Crawford Kasper with Zytel Handles
@HK_User I have taken mine apart with a small allen wrench, maybe your Aegis is a newer model? I bought mine when it first came out, but I can't imagine it can't be taken apart...maybe your eyes are failing you? If yours can't be taken apart, that's a deal-breaker for me, too. *edit* added image to show screws for disassembly. Also it's Allen wrench not a "Torx"
You can disassemble the Aegis using an Allen wrench and a slightly larger one for the pocket clip, and on my mini, the pocket clip screw head is the same size as the pivot head. You can switch the pocket clip to either side of the knife, really simple. It's easy to clean, too. Super fast deployment, the fastest I have ever seen. You know, these screws do look like they are only bare rivets, you just have to stick the right size wrench in there to see that it's keyed for them. Strange. Downsides: It's not a super sturdy knife for heavy use, the blade is for finer cutting tasks.
With bigger hands have you ever tried a buck 110, it is a folder and my opinion a really nice knife. I am on my third, first one lost the second stolen. It is not however an assisted folder and no pocket clip.
I wondered how far you would go to prove me wrong. Nice break down of the knife. BTW, my allens are metric.
That's where the Columbia River Knife & Tool 6783Z Part Serrated Crawford Kasper with Zytel Handles comes in. It is a honking big heavy knife and sturdy to boot. What I like about it is the weight and the balance. Balance in a folder is seldom found and even though the Crawford Kasper is large its balance was well planned. For less than $20 I do not think you can beat it. Cheap enough to have 10 of for all BOB and vehicles.
Yeah, it's been a long time since I played with that knife, but I remember looking at it and thinking, "no freaking way..." because it does look like there's no way to take it apart. I just got desperate and tried an allen key and it worked. They are hidden grooves, too tiny for my young eyes to see so I don't blame you one bit for not seeing them.
Balance is most important for me. Three balance, one does not. Blade Types all cordage cutters. Handles some resin some "other". Four choices.
Can someone explain the purpose of the serrated edge to me please? I just don't get it at all. It seems that I lose half the blade surface and gain nothing in the serration that I can tell. I'd like to hear from you knife guys.
